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Blog Category: The Agrariannaire

Dan Kretschmar is a young farmer and member of the National Farmers Union. Dan attended the Young Agrarians Vancouver Island Mixer in March 2014. Dan is organizing the first Young Agrarians Mixer in Ontario October 18-19th! The mixer will feature a day-long workshop with rockstar, six-figure, small-lot farmer Jean-Martin Fortier. Name: Dan Kretschmar Age: 29 Farm name: Grenville Farms Location: Severn Bridge (Muskoka), Ontario What do you produce? Organic Vegetables Size of farm? 190 Acres Number of years farming? 15 years give or take a few Farming background? I spent the first 18 years of my life on my family farm. I grew up around sheep and cows, as well as growing vegetables. My mother was one … Continue reading Muskoka, Ontario: Dan Kretschmar on Farming→

New farmer, young farmer, northern farmer, and hero farmer, Andrew Adams was kind enough to take some of his time to tell the Young Agrarians about his personal experiences with farming and life . Andrew, along with his wife Janie operate Hope Farm, which is located about 45 minutes outside Prince George. Hope Farm provides a wide variety of delicious natural foods to the community of Prince George and the surrounding area. They supply the community with locally famous Berkshire pork, duck, eggs, and seasonal garden produce. Hope Farm offers their products through a variety of outlets including restaurants, grocery … Continue reading Hope Farm – Agrariannaire #6→

Brianna Van de Wijngaard is a new farmer, young farmer, and hero farmer in Williams Lake, BC. Her farm, Puddle Produce operates on leased land plots using the SPIN model of farming to produce delicious fresh produce for the local community. Brianna was kind enough to share some of her farming experiences with the Young Agrarians….. Name? Brianna van de Wijngaard Where you farm? Williams Lake, BC Favourite vegetable or fruit to grow in summer? Beets! They grow really well here, are easy to process for market, and are beautiful! What is your favourite vegetable to grow in the winter? I’ve only … Continue reading Puddle Produce – The Agrariannaire #5→

YA’er Robin Sturley of Edible Earth Seeds interviewed farmer Corissa Lee, who grows garlic and vegetables in the Bella Coola Valley with fellow organic farmer Corine Singfield. Farming in remote locations has its unique challenges and rewards. Robin caught up with Corissa on a trip to Bella Coola in January 2014. Robin Sturley: What is the name of your farm? Corissa Lee: Our CSA is based on Corine’s farm, which doesn’t really have a name right now….! We’ve called it Monarch Glacier Farm in the past. RS: So it’s not just you on the farm. What’s the setup? CL: Corine’s … Continue reading AGRARIANNAIRE #4 With Corissa Lee – Farming in Bella Coola→

It’s harder to interview your partner than you’d expect, as David and I discovered when we interviewed each other about our farm start-up. Together, we make up Plenty Wild Farms. We began farming in Agassiz, on land borrowed from The Farm House Natural Cheeses, and recently moved to our own land in Pemberton. Alyssa Belter: So, what’s your name? David Tanner: David Stuart Tanner. No, just David Tanner. David Tanner Junior. Wait, did you just write all that down? No, just David Tanner. Wait, did you just write down all of that? (Laughs). Just David Tanner. Stop typing. Alyssa: Where … Continue reading Plenty Wild Farms – The Agariannaire #3→

YA’er Sara Dent interviewed 35-year old Quebec farmer Jean-Martin Fortier. Jean-Martin is well known for his ecologically productive method of farming that has enabled him, and his partner, Maude Helene Desroches to run a very successful market farm. Jean-Martin is launching the English version of his book Le Jardinier Maraicher (The Market Gardener) January 2014, thanks to a successful FarmStart crowd-sourcing campaign. Jean-Martin will be coming to workshop in BC March 2014. Join us for a workshop in Richmond, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Nelson and Victoria. For workshop info click here! Young Agrarians (YA): What is the name of your farm? Jean-Martin Fortier (JM): … Continue reading AGRARIANNAIRE #2 with Jean-Martin Fortier→

Better late than never I say. This writing and photography project is from summer 2012. I think it’s still perennial to post since it sure is nice to remember warm sunshine during these winter days. Tristan did the being interviewed part, Darcy interviewed and transcribed, and I photo-ed and later edited. Collaboration rocks. Photos by Sara Dent, from top to bottom of: Golden Ears Fruit Stand, Darcy Smith in the U-pick Strawberry Patch, Strawberries, Tristan Cavers, Le Cows, Paul Matheson, ‘Keep Calm Trot On’ THE AGRARIANNAIRE — #1 Golden Ears Community Farm, Chase BC By: Tristan Cavers, Darcy Smith and … Continue reading The Agrariannaire #1 with Tristan Cavers→